Sunday, 16 November 2014

The time has come for our annual Winter Fair and Open Studios at The Hearth and the all of us artists are preparing our studios to welcome visitors. We have a wonderful selection of stallholders coming to the Hearth this year, there will be live music in the church on both days and on Sunday, weather permitting, we will be graced with a visit from Horsley the lamb, the artists' mascot who made his first appearance at the Wool fair in August.

Our stallholders this year are...Andrew Pentland Ceramics - We loved Andrew's simple but elegant hand-thrown bowls and vessels at last year's Winter Fair so we are delighted he will be here again this year.Oakwood Soaperie - Ceri Aitman is a regular at our Winter Fair with her luxurious handmade soaps and cosmetics which make lovely gifts.Veronica Bell- Veronica makes hand crafted bowls and spoons made from locally sourced wood, bringing beauty to everyday objects.Kate Jackson - Kate will be selling her hand bound books, diaries and journals, each unique and handstitched.The Capable Gardener - Philippa Hodkinson will be bringing her trunk full of British-made gardening tools, heritage seeds and accessories - winter is a great time to plan next year's garden!The Store Hus - family duo Meg Held and Jan Baxandall create hand printed items for the home - cushions, tea towels, lampshades and more decorated with scandinavian-inspired strong patterns and colour combinations.Mark Rowney - Mark's exquisite leatherwork books and bookmarks are illustrated with local flora and fauna, and his paintings depict the myths and folklore of nature.Sheila Walton(Saturday) and Paula Constantine(Sunday) are members of the Northumbria Basketry Group and will be bringing their willow baskets, wreaths and decorations.Hadrian's Wall Honey and beeswax candles. Delicious local honey - let's hope Dorian Pritchards' bees have been busy this summer!

Thursday, 13 November 2014

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Last week I taught a workshop in a local art gallery where I based the session on my small collection of First World War embroidered postcards. I believe they were embroidered on to muslin by women and girls in France and Belgium and bought by soldiers to send home to loved ones. There are loads of images on the internet but it is nice to be able to handle something with so much historical and emotional resonance.